Statement from Blinken on postponing Beijing visit

Blinken, who met with Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin at the US State Department, held a joint press conference with his Korean counterpart.

Recalling that he postponed a long-planned comprehensive visit to Beijing after a Chinese high-altitude surveillance balloon was detected in US airspace, Blinken said his team had consulted with US allies, American institutions and Congress and concluded that the conditions were not favorable for a “constructive visit”.

“Unacceptable”

“First of all, flying a surveillance balloon over the US in our airspace is a clear violation of our sovereignty and international law. This is unacceptable and we have declared it to China,” Blinken said.

Stating that the balloon crisis undermined the purpose of his trip to Beijing to cover bilateral relations and many issues that are of common concern to the people of the two countries, Blinken said, “I think that every country whose airspace is violated in this way will give the same response. I can imagine the reaction that would have been if this happened in China.” spoke.

“This step by China has damaged the comprehensive talks we have planned”

Blinken, who spoke on the phone with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Foreign Relations Director Vang Yi during the day, said, “This is an irresponsible act and China’s decision to take this step just before my planned trip has damaged the comprehensive talks we planned to hold.” found.

Blinken, on the other hand, noted that he told the CCP’s Foreign Relations Director that the United States still adheres to diplomatic engagements with Beijing.

Minister Blinken also emphasized the importance of open communication channels between the two countries.

Spy balloon Pentagon announced

The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) announced a few days ago that a Chinese surveillance balloon had entered the US airspace and was being followed.

The Pentagon declared that the balloon was not dropped into civilian air traffic because it did not pose a direct threat to the United States, both civilian and military.

In addition, the ministry did not accept China’s statement that the balloon was a meteorological balloon and was drifting due to weather conditions, and announced that the balloon had a maneuverability and changed course in the US airspace.

The US State Department also announced that Blinken’s visit to Beijing was postponed.